Embassy of India
Paramaribo, Suriname
Concurrently accredited to Barbados, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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153rd Arrival of Day of Indians in Suriname
On the occasion of 153rd Arrival of Day of Indians in Suriname, a ceremony was held at Baba-Mai Plein, graced by the Hon’ble President of the Republic of Suriname, Her Excellency Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons along with the Vice President and several Cabinet Ministers, members of the Indian diaspora, and representatives of various cultural and community organizations.
Ambassador accompanied by Embassy officials, also attended the commemoration.
In a symbolic gesture, President Geerlings-Simons, joined by other dignitaries, offered garland to the Baba and Mai statue in Paramaribo, honoring the pioneering spirit of the first Indian ancestors who arrived on Surinamese soil.
Later in the day, the Embassy of India in Paramaribo, as part of its Promotion of Cultural Ties with Diaspora (PCTD) Programme and in collaboration with prominent Surinamese socio-cultural organizations notably the Cultural Union Suriname, Suriname India Women Association, Stichting Hindustani Immigration, Yuva Dal Suriname, and SCSV Premjoti organized a commemorative event on 5 June 2026 to mark the 153rd Indian Arrival Day in Suriname.
The event was graced by the Hon’ble Chairman of the National Assembly of Suriname, H.E. Dr. Ashwin Adhin. The Hon’ble President was represented by the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Ms. Lalinie Gopal.
In his remarks, Ambassador Subhash Gupta emphasized that the 153rd Indian Arrival Day is not merely a reflection on history, but a celebration of a vibrant and enduring heritage. He noted that the remarkable journey of the Hindustani community since 1873 stands as a testament to resilience, integration, and cultural pride.
Dr. Ashwin Adhin and Minister Lalinie Gopal also highlighted the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora to the development and progress of Suriname, while recalling the struggles and sacrifices of the ancestors who laid the foundation of today’s diverse Surinamese society.
The programme concluded with refreshments and a selection of Indian snacks.
The event paid tribute to the historic arrival of the first Indian indentured laborers aboard the ship Lalla Rookh on 5 June 1873. The event encompassed a cultural evening showcasing the rich cultural synthesis of Indian heritage and Surinamese identity.
The cultural programme featured a variety of performances. Students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre presented dance performances, while students from Dansschool Satrangi also enthralled the audience. Musical recitals were performed by the SVCC music faculty. Traditional folk expressions, led by Madan Tulsi including the Ahirwa dance and the dramatic storytelling form Londa Naach were also showcased.
An enactment of the yoga sequences was performed by SVCC students under the guidance of the Yoga Teacher-in-Charge. Under the aegis of the Suriname Hindi Parishad, Hindi poetry recitations were presented. Mr. Kries Ramkhelawan and his group performed Baithak Gana, highlighting the Bhojpuri-Hindustani-Surinamese musical heritage.
In addition, SVCC students performed a dance set to “Vande Mataram” in commemoration of its 150th anniversary.
A few glimpses of the event are enclosed below.
06 June 2026
